US government imposes sanctions on Kings Roman Casino

Feb 2, 2018

US has imposed an embargo on an Australian man who was working for a wild casino nicknamed Sin City in Laos. The Kings Roman Casinos operates in Laos offers gambling, prostitution etc. Reportedly, US Treasury and Drug Enforcement Agency have been hit with sanctions and Australian citizen Abbas Eberahim who used to provide security services for the casino has come under scrutiny as well.

'Abbas Eberahim, an Australian citizen, is guilty of providing material support and acting for or on behalf of the Zhao Wei transnational criminal organization,' the US Treasury press release said.

'Ebrahim, who is in charge of security at the Kings Romans Casino, was the former managing director and he has engaged in bribery on behalf of the Zhao Wei TCO.' He is listed at four addresses namely in Australia, Laos, Thailand and Malaysia.

An Australian newspaper said it contacted Mr. Eberahim by text message in which he has told, "I have no idea why US government is putting allegations on me. Of course, I do not accept or agree with the claims made by the US government."

Kings Roman Casino has remained in controversy because it is said to be a safe haven for criminals. It is the centre point for the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone which is located in Laos, on the banks of Mekong, where Myanmar, Thailand and Laos share borders.

Debbie Banks, tigers and crime campaign leader at a London-based Investigating agency called it a sleazy place. "Apart from the casino and gambling, there was consumption of tiger bone wine, bear paw soup and there was something sinister going on," Ms. Banks said. She had visited the casino while she was researching the illegal trade for a trade for 2015 report titled Sin City.

The US report alleged that the casino 'facilitates the storage and distribution of heroin, methamphetamine and other narcotics.' "It also promotes human trafficking and child prostitution," US Treasury added.

Zhao Wei, a man who made his name in the drug-lands of Myanmar, is the owner of the casino who bridges supply of heroin and methamphetamine from Myanmar to Laos.

Regional representative of the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime, Jeremy Douglas told ABC newspaper, "the business is huge, and so the money that would have to move out of the business would be huge too."